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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
 
     I hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), filed by
Patterson Energy, Inc. ("Patterson") with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of information contained in my
summary reserve report dated December 16, 1996, relating to the oil and gas
reserves and revenues, as of December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and as of
September 30, 1996, of certain properties owned by Patterson and all references
to me under the headings "Prospectus Summary -- Summary Operating and Oil and
Natural Gas Data," "Business and Properties -- Oil and Natural Gas
Operations -- Oil and Natural Gas Reserves" and "Experts" in such Prospectus,
and further consent to me being named as an expert therein.
 
                                      /s/ M. BRIAN WALLACE
                                         M. BRIAN WALLACE, P.E.
 
Dallas, Texas
December 18, 1996